Asaba jet crew remains in DSS custody over security breach, says minister

The crew of a foreign-registered private jet that landed on a concrete road near Asaba Airport, instead of the designated runway, are being held by Nigeria's Department of State Services (DSS). Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo confirmed the ongoing detention, labeling the June incident a "serious security breach."

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The private jet incident was a security breach, and we are treating it as such. The pilots and crew are still in DSS custody, undergoing rigorous questioning to determine why they landed where they did.

Keyamo stated that investigations are underway to understand why the crew disregarded air traffic control instructions. The aircraft had been cleared to land on the runway, but instead touched down on a road outside the airport's secured perimeter. "The tower at Asaba asked if they were on approach and cleared them to land. But they refused to land on the runway," Keyamo explained. "When controllers contacted them again, asking, ‘You are not on the runway, where are you?’ it became clear they had landed on a concrete road outside the airport."

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The tower at Asaba asked if they were on approach and cleared them to land. But they refused to land on the runway. When controllers contacted them again, asking, ‘You are not on the runway, where are you?’ it became clear they had landed on a concrete road outside the airport.

Adding to the security concerns, the crew reportedly departed the scene before accident investigators could examine the aircraft or question them. "When you make such a serious mistake, you are expected to remain at the scene until accident investigators arrive. Instead, the crew took off again," Keyamo said. He noted that upon the aircraft's arrival in Lagos, arrangements were made with the DSS Director-General for the crew's apprehension.

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When you make such a serious mistake, you are expected to remain at the scene until accident investigators arrive. Instead, the crew took off again. That was when I contacted the Director-General of the DSS, and arrangements were made for the aircraft’s crew to be picked up immediately on arrival in Lagos.

The minister also revealed that the jet is registered in the United States, which explains the pilot's age exceeding Nigeria's maximum limit for commercial pilots. Nigerian regulations restrict commercial pilots to age 65, while this pilot was over 70. Foreign-registered aircraft operating under various lease agreements often fly into Nigeria for limited periods.

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The aircraft is not Nigerian-registered; it is registered in the United States. That is why the pilot is over 70 years old. Under Nigerian regulations, commercial pilots cannot continue flying beyond the age of 65.